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Nick Toon's release on Tuesday didn't come as a shock. But it's still a disappointment that the former fourth-round draft pick was never able to realize his potential with the New Orleans Saints.

Toon had his best opportunity yet to finally play a key role for the Saints this year after he finished strong in 2014 and the team parted ways with fellow receivers Kenny Stills and Robert Meachem in the offseason. Instead Toon had a quiet summer on the practice field, then he went down with an ankle injury in the second preseason game. A league source confirmed he's being released, though it's unclear if that will come with an injury designation.

The starters will be second-year breakout candidate Brandin Cooks and longtime veteran Marques Colston.

Behind them, second-year pro Brandon Coleman appears most likely to emerge as the No. 3 receiver this season -- although he hasn't cemented that role yet because he's gone quiet in all of New Orleans' preseason games.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Coleman, who went undrafted out of Rutgers in 2014 has the highest ceiling of all the backup receivers. The team will keep giving him opportunities to play a key role after he has looked so good in practices this summer. He could especially be effective in the red zone, the story said. After Coleman, veterans Josh Morgan and Joseph Morgan are jockeying for position with two other second-year undrafted receivers: Willie Snead and Seantavius Jones.

After Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston is where it really gets interesting for the Saints WRs. The Saints will have two relative newcomers in their top-four rotation after trading away TE Jimmy Graham and receiver Kenny Stills and opting not to re-sign Robert Meachem.

Fourth-year pro Nick Toon will get the first crack at the No. 3 job since he’s been waiting in line the longest. Toon helped his case with a solid finish to last season when he finally got an extended opportunity -- 17 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown over the final six games.

Brandon Coleman’s massive size (6-foot-6, 225) makes him the most intriguing roster contender since he could develop into a red-zone monster. Coleman seemed to be playing faster and more at ease this summer after struggling last summer -- a good sign that he’s on the rise.

Seantavius Jones shouldn’t get lost in Coleman’s shadow. The 6-3, 200-pounder has flashed a great combination of size and athleticism. And he was actually promoted to the active roster ahead of Coleman late last season when the Saints needed injury reinforcements.

The author thinks both Jones and Coleman make the roster while the team parts ways with Josh Morgan and Joe Morgan. The article said Toon (6-4, 218) can help his case even more if he proves to be a strong blocker (a valued skill that used to be one of Meachem’s specialties). Also mentioned was the possibility Colston becomes a red zone threat, taking over for the departed Graham. However, we think C.J. Spiller also takes on a huge role in the passing game from the running back position.

Brandin Cooks should emerge as the Saints’ No. 1 receiver on deep throws and short stuff like screens and end-arounds, while C.J. Spiller should catch 60-plus passes out of the backfield in the mold of Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush.

We project Spiller to catch 68 passes, so this prediction falls right in line with what we're expecting from Spiller in 2015. Be sure to read Sr. Editor John Paulsen's case for Spiller in New Orleans.

Nick Toon, who spent his first three years at the X receiver spot, has moved to the Z in the Saints’ base offense. Toon will line up off the ball more often, and he’ll be lining up on the strong side of the formation, as opposed to the weak side. Toon, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has become one of New Orleans’ better run blockers at receiver, an ability that can come in handy as an extra blocker outside the tight end.

For Toon, the key is putting it all together. He should have plenty of chances.

“We saw at times last year in practice, even though he’s not receiving reps in the games, certainly we’ve seen his progression, he understands the system well and he’s working hard,” Payton said. “I think the key is just getting snaps, but I think we’ll see his snaps go way up.”

Toon figures to serve as the WR3 behind Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston. The role hasn't traditionally been a big fantasy producer, but Jimmy Graham is gone so the team figures to get less production out of the tight end position. If anything happens to Cooks or Colston, fantasy owners should have Toon on speed dial.

Drew Brees and Keenan Lewis use the phrase "night and day" to describe the difference in Brandon Coleman's play from last year to this year. The 6-foot-6 wideout is becoming more than just a big body as he's far more reliable catching the football and knowing the offense this offseason. At this rate, Coleman could be on his way to transforming into a viable piece in the passing game in 2015.

He’s vying for snaps behind Brandin Cooks, Marques Colston and Nick Toon, but his teammates have said that the 6’6” receiver is “night and day” from last season, so he could quickly work his way into fantasy relevance with an injury or two in the Saints’ receiving corps.

Talking about wide receivers, Nick Toon has been here for years now, do you think that this could potentially be his year to emerge.

Saints QB Drew Brees: “I do, absolutely. This will be his fourth season and that first year he was injured, the second year he made progress, and then last year he had a chance to kind of break out a little bit and get some opportunities to play once (Brandin) Cooks went down and I felt like made the most of it. We saw glimpses. For him it’s just a matter of repetition and the more opportunities he gets I think the more plays he is going to make. We’ve had the ability to maneuver him around and give him more opportunities that way and he’s been able to handle it very well. So I’m excited for Nick Toon, he’s got a great opportunity I think there’s a great fit for him and a great opportunity for him and a great role for him in this offense.”

Toon figures to serve as the WR3 behind Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston. The role hasn't traditionally been a big fantasy producer, but Jimmy Graham is gone so the team figures to get less production out of the tight end position. If anything happens to Cooks or Colston, fantasy owners should have Toon on speed dial.

Two standouts again in Saints practice today: Young WRs Brandon Coleman, Seantavius Jones. In serious danger of early over-hyping.

Coleman and Jones are competing with Nick Toon and Joseph Morgan for snaps behind starters Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston. The Saints spread it around, so the team's WR3 probably won't hold reliable fantasy value, but whoever wins the position should be on speed dial if Cooks or Colston suffers an injury.